The Future of Research: Lexis and Westlaw AI Tools

This morning in my judicial opinion writing class we had the Stetson law librarians present to us on Lexis and Westlaw’s AI. Both Lexis and Westlaw are now developing software that will be greatly beneficial to the way that we do research as future attorneys. This software generates information using the collection of information stored in the Lexis and Westlaw databases (Westlaw only has practical law as of right now). It is far more beneficial to be using these as the legal information will be more relevant to what we have searched.

On the Lexis side, the technology is more developed. There are three main functions on Lexis: (1) asking AI a legal question, (2) generating a draft, and (3) summarizing a case. The asking AI a legal question will help start research projects when you may not be sure what the governing law is. A couple questions posted to the AI generator tool can give you case law and statutes that may be relevant for your research. It will be a way more efficient way of developing research. The generating a draft function may also help you draft emails, memos, and motions. This function works great as a first draft that would allow you to expand where needed. Lastly, the summarizing a case feature gives you an overview of the case and can even provide the governing rule is prompted with further questions. Since we have access to this as students, other study aides such as Quimbee may no longer be needed. 

On the Westlaw side, their AI uses their practical guides and would be a useful tool for first years or law clerks. Some of the information provided in this may give information on what forms to use and what the elements of a cause of action are. Once the Westlaw version gets more developed, it may also provide robust answers like Lexis. 

Since we have these databases for free right now as students, we should take advantage of learning how to use them in legal research. Gone are the days where we are starting from scratch on a research project. With the right prompts, instead, we can pointed to the governing law quickly and provide more thorough research more efficiently. Still, all the information prompted needs to continue to be checked as this AI tools may provide hallucinations still. As a tool, these new AI tools for legal research is changing the way research is done and students should start learning them now to stay ahead of the curve.